tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70987561465047026002018-03-14T19:26:20.282+08:00LongBanganan arai madei' hnau arai nnah lun wan tana' naiAsan O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05524929963120536765noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098756146504702600.post-6896171460242947822010-08-02T10:17:00.017+08:002010-08-02T11:57:17.882+08:00Kampung Long Banga Not Forgotten - A tribute to Malaysian PM<div><div><div></div><div>Dear Friends,<br /></div><div> </div><div>Long Banga, being a far outpost village in Sarawak, closed to the international Malaysia-Indonesia border (Kalimantan province) really is not a forgotten place of late. This village, established around 1900 by a group of Sa'bans that left their Kelabit families in Long Peluan and latter followed by their Kenyah Leppo' Ke relatives, has been thriving under all circumstances since their settlement at this scenic location. From the pagans days till they embraced Christianity in the late early 1960s, from pure farming community till education changed almost all families into semi-agricultural and partly town-based till today, the changes are apparent at this remote place. This village was also used as a base by the Allied Army during the Confrontation in the mid-1960s. </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500636384350917618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 219px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/TFYvpd_TU_I/AAAAAAAAAII/G9iuoEkSDCE/s320/22640_102895123068220_100000431971159_73805_368399_n.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Then, all of a sudden the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Seri Najib announced he is visiting the village in July, 2010. The excitement over this visit was sky-high and the villagers had work hard together with the primary school teachers (amongst the only government office available there) to ensure the visit was a memorable ones. The cooperation amongst the Sabans and the Leppo' Ke are exemplary. Their work ethics are good eventhough going through personal differences at times. The Kenyahs provides the artististry and details into the raw ideas and prowess of the Sabans. This is not only evident in their works but also in marriages...</div><div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/TFYsqGvLWOI/AAAAAAAAAIA/dDw07K36208/s1600/Photo0125.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500633096754256098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/TFYsqGvLWOI/AAAAAAAAAIA/dDw07K36208/s320/Photo0125.jpg" border="0" /></a> When PM Najib arrived at this place on 22nd July 2010, the more changed for the better were expected. He announced a RM6million mini hydroelectric scheme and a RM1million access road to the village's airfield..<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500644025099146722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/TFY2mN_o1eI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/_vUtAbcZOT0/s320/DSCF2439.JPG" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>As his visit was witnessed by thousands of other Orang Ulu (mostly Kenyahs and Kayans) from various long houses down-river Baram, whom also don't want to be forgotten, PM announced the construction of the infamous 30+ year old 42km Beluru-Lapok road for RM100+ million.. What a relieved for all Orang Ulus..</div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500646570384433522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/TFY46X68IXI/AAAAAAAAAIY/Ijffk1njk9w/s320/DSCF2404.JPG" border="0" />But most importantly, we the Long Banga folks appreciate PM's visit to this outpost village, which shows his eagerness to know more about this country, even to the tiny community like ours. At least, he showed that he is willing to be at the remotest of the Orang Ulu area, as he told the audience, after consulting Dato Jacob Dungau Sagan, who hailed from a nearby village down-river Baram.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500648997626585602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/TFY7HqGkIgI/AAAAAAAAAIg/c5uGllewInQ/s320/DSCF2463.JPG" border="0" />While addressing to the Orang Ulu folks for the first time at their remotest village in Long Banga, PM Najib jested that he also like wearing the 'tapung' for the first time...</div></div><br /><div></div><div>We like to thank all the government agencies that made the PM visit a success and all Orang Ulus that came in droves until we could not house everybody at Long Banga, visitors overnite spilled-over to Long Peluan and Long Balong, both 20 minutes away by 4WDs..<br /></div><br /><div></div><div>Again, with the Orang Ulu's standard of hospitality, we were short of giving a 'name' for PM, but there were numerous 'forest produce' gifts from various community, he was also blessed with special prayer from Pastor Oda of SIB Long Banga, also a first time for PM, I guess.</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500653498347446290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/TFY_NomCYBI/AAAAAAAAAIo/_EQKdSrQ2C4/s320/Photo0218.jpg" border="0" /> <div>Let's see how the government agencies responsible for the projects announced go about their implementation.. </div></div>Asan O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05524929963120536765noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098756146504702600.post-24939529252406200622010-07-12T10:21:00.019+08:002010-07-12T14:22:10.243+08:00Many First Time HappeningsDear All,<br /><br />A first time experience is always genuine, exhilarating, may be devastating but that 'first time' will be remembered well in our life's span. We could quotes many first times here, but being an ardent sports fan (of all kind) there are a few first times happenings this week alone..<br /><br /><br /><br />Golf - Eduardo Molinari won for the first time in Europe at the Scotish Open at Loch Lomond.. Paula Creamer, one of my favourites LPGA member, won the US Women's Open, her first major, at the Oakmont Course, the same place where Angel Cabrera won the <br />US Open last year. On a personal note, I too played at Kelab Golf Miri for DPTS Alfred Jabu Challenge trophy under the Dayak Golf Association's umbrella for the first time over the weekend. Lost badly though to fellow Dayak golfers..<br /><br />F1 - Mark Webber won the Silverstone for the first time being a 'no.2 driver' as he mentioned sarcastically over the radio, also a first time such a jibe was made at their own team. <br /><br />World Cup - The Spanish Armada won the title for the first time at the Soccer City last night and got the honour to place a star over their logo..waka waka, South Africa 2010 a world cup that will be partly remembered as a first time 'vuvuzela' being widely used..It is also the first time the top scorer with 5 goals, Thomas Muller of German, been chosen from a 5-way tie based on goals scored, assists and time of play.. <br /><br />Sports being so global now enable us to follow many games at a time and technology has brought these games to our living rooms within seconds..<br /><br />Away from the global sporting world, there is a coming first time happenings at a tiny village in the 'heart of borneo' this month as well. The little village of Long Banga is due for a visit by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB DS Najib Tun Razak. This is a first time of a kind where the PM will be with one of the smallest indigenous community of Saban people, one of the remotest village in the State of Sarawak, Malaysia and so forth..<br /><br />For the ordinary rural community living in the vicinity of the village, be they are of Saban, Kelabit, Kenyah, Penan and other ethnicity, this kind of visit is the best gesture form a person they highly regarded.. Surely, the experience of having the PM at our village will be remembered in our life's span. It will be engraved in the history of the tiny outpost village that host a community of less than 600 peoples.. Grateful will they be and they would not mind the hectic preparation that comes with it.. Being part of this remote community, we can gratefully proclaimed that it is a first time Long Banga been visited by the highest government office of the country.. and we could humbly plant a star sign at the site of the village on the map of Malaysia. So excited they are about this first time, they are praying hard for a safe journey, good weather and joyous moment for this occasion.<br /><br />Officials reading this entry, who are going on this trip for the first time, please be assured of your well being and acceptance at the village.. <br /><br />Viva Espana..del Bosque the man...<br /><br />Best wishesAsan O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05524929963120536765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098756146504702600.post-23609135110918911122010-03-11T23:34:00.019+08:002010-03-15T12:45:02.632+08:00Long Banga - the hard facts<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/S5kkey45PeI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/Q6CX2n19P4I/s1600-h/Photo0129.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447425335756406242" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/S5kkey45PeI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/Q6CX2n19P4I/s320/Photo0129.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div>Hi!</div><div></div><div></div><br /><div>Long Banga appeared in tonight's Malaysian RTM1 panorama's program featuring the Maswings' twin otter planes flying destinations. As one of the few destinations for the 19 seater aircraft in the interior Baram, Long Banga village as well as the neighbouring Long Peluan, Long Lamai and Long Beruang benefited very much from this subsidized flights. </div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/S5mqVd4Q_gI/AAAAAAAAAGg/07JHs5gAwAM/s1600-h/P1010517.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447572510055923202" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/S5mqVd4Q_gI/AAAAAAAAAGg/07JHs5gAwAM/s320/P1010517.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Before 1996, logging operations did not reach this part of the world and there is no other mode of transportation other than walking on foot to Lio Mato, which normally take two days for an average person, with an overnite in a jungle hut at Metapa. </div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><div>From Lio Mato, a long boat ride to Marudi will take another two days with an approximate 2 drums of benzine for a twin 30 hp outboat motors. The returning journey normally takes 3 days upriver to Lio Mato with 3 drums of fuel. The cost is quite substantial, therefore only the rich guy in the village can keep those engines and boats at Lio Mato which will only be used once or twice a year. The trip is planned in such a way that more that 10 persons will travel downriver to share the cost of the fuel.<br /></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447421692526043474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/S5khKuzFoVI/AAAAAAAAAF4/7CsdQSpjxzc/s320/Photo0092.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Then the government decided to open up an airport at Long Banga in early 1990s.. the original plan was abandoned because the flight landing direction is a bit tricky with mountains at both ends. The current completed ones is an extention or rather an improvement of the army's field used to land items from the Caribou 130 during the confrontation with Indonesia in 1960s and also the BEM missions therafter. Before MAS rural service commence (latter FAX and now Maswings) in early 2000, the completed airport was used by chartered flights. A Dornier or Skyvan is normally hired at a rate of RM5,000.00 for a return flight to Marudi, whereby the local trader fill the aircraft to the brink and any space left is for paying passenger. This only happens about 3 to 4 times per year and normally the teachers and nurses posted to the villages in the vicinity make the trips.</div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/S5kf-UXPzKI/AAAAAAAAAFw/ckXvp1JODaE/s1600-h/Photo0082.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447420379759889570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/S5kf-UXPzKI/AAAAAAAAAFw/ckXvp1JODaE/s320/Photo0082.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>In early 1997 the quiet village is surprised by the arrival of logging operations. But the villages adapted fast to the changes and started to travel by logging roads to Miri for about 8-10 hours, depending on weather conditions. This has largely changed the livelihood in Long Banga. No more walking on foot for days excepting between local villages. Besides, trading items are not flown anymore, but by land trips that will cost around RM700-800 per chartered 4WD double cabin trucks (land cruisers). Anyway, that did not reduce the prices of goods at Long Banga estimated at Coca Cola RM3.00, Maggie Mee RM1.00, Tiger Beer RM6.00, Derek drinking water (small botlle) RM2.00..<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/S5kjr62Zj5I/AAAAAAAAAGI/b0ocOhLoA1M/s1600-h/Photo0325.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447424461720096658" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/S5kjr62Zj5I/AAAAAAAAAGI/b0ocOhLoA1M/s320/Photo0325.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />When I went back in February 2010, a lot of physical changes happened. More houses are built by the younger generations with better design and added with the availability of cements that can be brought by land from Miri, makes better houses. A new church is built by the Kenyah's section of the village.<br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/S5mrUn0NOvI/AAAAAAAAAGo/erw_qKkx2j8/s1600-h/Photo0330.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447573595055012594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/S5mrUn0NOvI/AAAAAAAAAGo/erw_qKkx2j8/s320/Photo0330.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>But still, travel by air is a blessing for the populace. Small in number though, the current three flights per week (Tue, Sat and Sun) well serves the people living and working there, very much. The government servants (teachers and rural clinic staffers) really need this service as most are outsiders, and fancy of checking their 'gaji' monthly at Miri or Marudi. With a one way subsidized flight costing about RM80.00 to Miri, there is very little complaints from the villagers.. they are often self-reminded of their yesteryear's hardship...</div></div><div></div><div>To fascilitate internal movements, the government has teamed-up with the timber company operationg in the area to upgrade the kampung road and built a new bridge crossing the main river to school.</div><div></div><div><br />Cheers!<br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Asan O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05524929963120536765noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098756146504702600.post-76653240827308858622009-04-28T13:55:00.002+08:002009-04-28T16:29:53.688+08:00Orang Ulu Cultural Symposium 2009 @ MiriHi There!<br /><br />The last time I got to write here, the by-election in Batang Ai was still at the campaigning stage. Rightly, the BN won and our friend, Mussen is now a YB and no more in the state civil service. <br /><br />During that particular election, the Dayak Iban Cultural Symposium was held in Betong. This time around, it is the "Orang Ulu's" turn to have the same agenda. I begin to think that this kind of events are just part of or an element of campaigning by the government of the day. It is being held, co-incidently, every five years and it involve a lot of community leaders, be it government appointees or elected into the various NGOs.<br /><br />As a matter of fact, the land issues is still the the topic of choice and hotly debated. But we must remember this is a "cultural" symposium. The forum hardly get any representation proper from a cultural point of view beside some mentioned of orang ulu "fine arts" and artifacts worthy of heritage listing in a couple of papers presented.<br /><br />The last part of it was the persuasion paper to get a localised version for the "orang ulu" called 'community-based reference' or self-lingo referencing into "LUNDAYA". This was hotly anticipated, whereby the chairperson of the session was non-other than the person who has helped formed the "Orang Ulu National Association" himself, YgBhg Datuk Wan Ullok. At the end, the participants are still far-apart in their acceptance of the term. One eminent person from the floor stood up to ask questions which one sounds like "adakah cadangan pertukaran nama ini ada udang di sebalik mee?". I responded silently like "they want somekind of legacy".<br /><br />Personally, I believe that the notion is a waste of time, as some participants openly grouses there and then. It is just like wanting to change the name "mercedes to proton". One is already highly regarded all over the world but crying wanting to be a known locally in Malaysia only. No wonder the presenter of the paper, non-other than the organiser himself, our very own brother Datu Ose Murang struggled so much with his lingo, only helped so much by the pauses and interruptions of the other panelists whom were given time to speak on the issue.<br /><br />Another fellow participant put it like this in Kayan "tiah ngalui basung anan pah.. pakai basung maring bi bu mengo' loh kah ihah, bu na' piah dahin tula loh kah na'a." - like changing shirt, still with the same armpit smell. <br /><br />At the end, the cultural symposium is still worth an avenue for the Orang Ulu to expose issues and exchange ideas and thoughts. It would be best if more cultural and arts related matter were put up at the symposium and leave other matters like economy, business to other fora.<br /><br />Resolutions resulting then, must be forwarded to the authority and followed-up to ensure this channel remain relevant. Otherwise, it will just be another waste of time and effort or simply and pre-election campaigning gimmick.<br /><br />jangan ambik hati sangat tuyang...<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />Purely Orang Ulu.Asan O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05524929963120536765noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098756146504702600.post-15843105343500057982009-03-30T13:23:00.009+08:002009-03-30T14:38:35.313+08:00Sarawak politics - One by election BN can't afford to looseHi there!<br /><br />I am not the political blogger but things of late is good to ponder upon, which persuaded me to write.<br /><br />Yesterday was the nomination day for three by-elections, one each in Kedah, Perak and Sarawak. UMNO seemed to be so confidence that their recent "wings of change" in the party election would garner well with voters. The UMNO mass media stated out loud that the opposition is on the brink of break-up and so forth. We will wait and see, as Nizar responded to that, on 7th April 2009. Nizar is the ousted but celebrated Chief Minister of Perak.<br /><br />At the Sarawak scene, the forever present CM Taib Mahmud led the ruling coalition to accompany BN candidate for Batang Ai, Mr. Mussen (as we know him). There are a few things that I would like to comment on this:<br /><br />1. When there is a seat vacancy for BN in Dayak constituent, they will resort to pick up a serving government officer to stand in the election. This automatically deprived the Dayak of a representation in the agency he/she is leaving in order to enter the political fray. Fair to say, this move may be good for the individual chosen, whether he win or loose (like Alex Vincent - Balleh), but still a Dayak is lost from the ladder of the Public Service where he should serve till retirement for the good of his agency and the public they serve.<br /><br />2. This election is different. It is the first time that Sarawak is openly accepting in the challenges posed by an organised opposition. Not like in the past where there is only this one or two independent candidate that withdrew at the very last minute for unknown reason. No wonder, the BN have to come in full force to Batang Ai and "pour out" more money in the area, hopefully not just empty promises, in the form of projects and grants. I heard the rebate for outboard motor owners in the area will only be paid after the by-election. May be Jawah Gerang will want to use this information.<br /><br />3. If CM is correctly quoted, today's Sarawak's newspaper reported that there is a "Sarawak way " of campaigning and how campaign goes on now is very different from the past. I think the BN machinery has been using the same tactic for too long and the leaders are been there too long to realize that there are new ways to campaign. But what is the Sarawak way? No one can guess more better, as a newspaper columnist, Kaypo rightly put it "even if you put up a monkey as a BN candidate using the 'dacing' symbol, BN will win." I think people are being bombarded by "money politics" from all angles, be it promises of infrastructures, basic facilities, grants etc., those are all money promises. The notion that only BN goverment can bring development should be a gone case by now, as any party forming a government could utter promises sky high till the billions of money in their control is gone.<br /><br />4. A by-election is for the ruling government to win. But if the opposition can take Batang Ai with all the issues against the current state government being played around the campaign, we can suggest that there is a truth in the issues and the BN couldn't take the opposition lightly anymore. As a show of strength, all along, the BN might is incomparable in rural constituents of Sarawak, but let us see if the Dayakism, as potrayed by some BN campaigners against the opposition, have some say at the end of the week. If BN loose this one, many more will be go down the wire but if the opposition lost, the BN will champing that the land issues is gone.<br /><br />We wait and see what will happen after 7th April 2009.<br /><br />Cheers!!Asan O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05524929963120536765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098756146504702600.post-31890060143748454452009-03-11T10:21:00.001+08:002009-03-11T11:51:39.032+08:00Orang Ulu - Who really cares?Dear Friends,<br /><br />Recent Sarawak local news coverage on the so-called "Orang Ulu" (means UP-RIVER PEOPLES)community suggests that a group of "orang ulu" based NGOs called FORUM (Federation of Orang Ulu Assosiations Malaysia?) want a change of the term "orang ulu" to "LUN DAYA".<br /><br />The news reports impressed upon readers that the big names and the community at large have "more or less" accepted the idea of a change of name, they called re-branding. It is believed the notion was promoted by the FORUM because the "orang ulu" potrays a backward community and the term may be a hindrance for their progress. The FORUM suggested that a change of name (or re-branding?) to reflect the real characters of the community is therefore, needed to have a better image.<br /><br />As a member of Persatuan Masyarakat Saban, an assosiate of the FORUM, of which my brother is the current president, it may not be a really good idea to put down some comment on the issue, but there are some disturbing thoughts that i would like to put on record here:<br /><br />(1) While visiting a former State Agriculture Director at his 2009 Chinese New Year celebration, he asked me of my 'race' and I obliged to say that I'm Saban, an Orang Ulu tribe. He responded by saying that 'this is my favorite peoples'. He said he liked it during those days, while still in goverment service, visiting the orang ulu places and enjoying the beautiful and diverse cultures they have. And he asked me, why do we want to change our name? He said ornag ulu is nice and established name.<br /><br />(2) I do not agree with the involvement of politician in NGOs activities. If or so-called hardworking orang ulu YBs are sincere enough in highlighting orang ulu problems, lack of developments and opportunity to progress, use the right platform. Or otherwise, resign as YB and join the NGOs if that is your only ability. Working on NGOs platform like communal associations is merely degrading their YB title, whom should shout out loud for the plight of our poor constituencies in the relevant Dewan. And let the heads of the NGOs work on this kind of issues.<br /><br />(3) What is the difference by a change from "orang ulu" to "lun daya"? For me, they are the same and it does not potrays a better thing. "Lun" can be associated with "Ulun" that can be traced to "slavery", in a worst case scenario. "Daya" is merely "ulu" in the Kenyah lingo and if you term in in Malay it can be weaken with "apakan daya". Therefore, a change in that direction does not serve any purpose for me.<br /><br />(4) What is the problem with us being orang ulu? Come on! We originated from the "ulu". TITIK. But being from "ulu" does not stops us from being educated (eg. check Candida Jau on Facebook), owning businesses like Philip Ngo and Jun Wan or Jok Ding, leading goverment agencies like Robert Lian, becoming CEOs like DS Idris Jala, managers of multi-nationals like Mohd Medan, travel the world with a 'sape' like Cikgu Matthew, officials of golf clubs like Henry Lian and Dr Philip and the list goes on for many more accomplishments that we already have while being called "orang ulu". I don't see any problem or hindarance to progress in there. For that matter, I believe many more orang ulu youngsters are coming up to meet the challenges to being exceptional and sucessful, based of the standards set by the present generations without a "re-branding".<br /><br />(5) Personally, "orang ulu" is just an easy description of my origin of which my tribe, Saban is part of, due the locality of our village, Long Banga in the upper-Baram, the great river. There maybe some "orang ulu" associated communities that are located down-river like the Bisayas and Berawans, but I believe being called one "orang ulu" does not down grade them, because in the olden days, the Chinese taukeys in the old towns of Kapit, Marudi, Limbang and Lawas will just called anybody, that arrived by boat for their yearly or quartely or few shopping trips, as "ORANG ULU".<br /><br />I therefore, urge the current FORUM to look for other issues to work on and forget about this re-branding of the great Orang Ulu. May be our honorable YBs should do more to highlight problems and seek more development into our areas in the Dewan. Time to seek popularity by mingling around NGOs is over.<br /><br />I may be wrong to say the above matters, and the way it is presented. Some orang ulu may be offended and dislike it that way. However, and I don't offer any apology. I may be arrogant here, but I do care about the basic concerns of our rural Orang Ulu that are real development, connection (road and telco) and recognition of land ownership. Not merely rethoric plus thousand of broken promises, we are tired of them.<br /><br />Regards,Asan O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05524929963120536765noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098756146504702600.post-18735713312841912502009-01-06T09:58:00.001+08:002009-01-31T23:58:34.367+08:00Balik Kampung 2008<div><br /><br /><div>Two weeks before christmas 2008, the Saban Community Association in Miri initiated a 'Jom Balik Kampung' actitivity to coincide with their Saban of Borneo pre-christmas celebration. As an advisor to the association, I feel sorry for not being able to join them as I couldn't take leave at that particular time.<br />However, that is an exemplary programme to do and there are similar activities organised by a few villages in Baram during that period as well, eg. Long Atip.<br /><br />At our personal level, my family chose to 'balik kampung' for Christmas in Long Bedian. This year has been a bit quiet for us and we did not plan to join any celebration whether its Harvest or Christmas. After our trip to Jakarta at the end of November, we decided to make it to Long Bedian with a driving trip to Miri and hoping for my brother-in-law Laing to drive us in his new Mazda 4x4 to Long Bedian. How plans would not materialise especially if things are not under your control, my in-law's car was involved in an accident before sunrise, the day we arrived in Miri 20th December 2008. They were on their way to send uncle &amp; auntie to prepare rice for their cousin, Harry's wedding on the night of the same day, which we attended. Thanks God, no one was seriously injured in that wee hours accident.<br /><br />At the crossroads, we got Julia's cousin, Richard to send us to Long Bedian on 22nd Dec 2008. It was a cloudy day but thanks goodness, no rain. The Lapok road is still as bad as it is and the journey to kampung is slowed mostly by this part of the road. There is improvement after the Lapok bridge for the Long Lama sector, and the ferry point really need improvement at landing, as well as keeping their own safety procedures intact. And Long Lama - Long Bedian through Temala is the normal logging tracks. The dry weather really helped and we reached Long Bedian at 4pm after 5 hours journey on a 2X4 Isuzu and we paid RM320 for the whole trip that include my parent-in-laws.<br /><br />This is the second time our daughter Ruran been back to Long Bedian since 2005. She is now aware of all the good things in the village i.e the long house, sleeping under mosquito net, motorcycling the first time, river bathing, 'pah lung' - eat together at others home etc. Since we do not have our own vehicle this time around, we hardly move and just attended the various Christmas church services from 23-26th Dec and also being invited to 'pah lung' at other homes for dinner (3 times actually). </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/SYR0wmPZBUI/AAAAAAAAAE8/Yf83vO_hRYU/s1600-h/IMG_1101.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297487439942190402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/SYR0wmPZBUI/AAAAAAAAAE8/Yf83vO_hRYU/s320/IMG_1101.JPG" border="0" /></a>After Christmas we went swimming at Tenyok, the community resort place and had good times. The next day we just sit around at the long house and bought some souvenirs at the shops. I got a good bargain for a 5' rattan mat which is the Penan supply price RM50 as the item have not entered the shop yet and also RM10 for a skull of a honey bear. They asked what's the bones for and i told them its for display in office as am also doing wild life enforcement. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297485812422729090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 364px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 257px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/SYRzR3Qg3YI/AAAAAAAAAE0/YWIrYDHvOmg/s320/IMG_1173.JPG" border="0" />Photo shows Lapok at midday. No other vehicles can ply the roads without problems except 4WD... until when??<br /><br /><br /><div><br />On 28th Dec 2008 we got a commonrail Hilux to send us back to Miri. All of us left the village together as my in-laws still got to complete their self-renovation works at their Miri house. We stop for snacks at Long Lama Bazaar. Not much change at this place for years, except the lesser frequency of express boats to Marudi. The weather was just fine and we arrive Miri after about 5 hours and paid Rm300.<br /><br />It was a great experience to be back in kampung after so many years did not managed to do so. The photos we captured are duly uploaded in the Facebook (Tenmu Asan Family). We were also informed that Long Bedian will be hosting the religious "Irau" celebrations for SIB Apoh-Tutoh region in June 2009 and may make a trip at that time as well.<br /><br />Our message here is to make it to our village whenever is possible as most of the elders there are lonely without seeing their kids and grandkids. Before we regret of not doing so, it is best to do while we are still strong and resourceful.</div></div>Asan O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05524929963120536765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098756146504702600.post-45407300808951497152008-11-23T12:14:00.012+08:002008-11-23T19:30:30.944+08:00Tangkuban Parahu, Bandung<div>Hi!</div><div><br /><br /></div><div>It's been another long silence from this page. My family has purchased an AirAsia ticket KCH-CGK im March 2008 for a November trip. So many things happen in the between until we were not really sure of flying though. However, after checking with many friends, we decided to go forward with trip and booked our hotels through GoHoliday also of AirAsia.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>We boarded a delayed flight from KCH<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/SSkvPOw0K-I/AAAAAAAAAD8/61WtpV6_JQk/s1600-h/IMG_0157.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271796777521261538" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 404px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 274px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/SSkvPOw0K-I/AAAAAAAAAD8/61WtpV6_JQk/s320/IMG_0157.JPG" border="0" /></a> at 10pm and arrived at Soekarno Hatta 10.40pm West Jakarta time. We put up at Alpine Hotel, a small cosy place at city centre. However, we were only there for a few hours due to a planned tour to Bandung we bought on the internet. The local agent of Bistur's Tour Mr. Yudi met us at the cafe at 0810 am. We just proceed to Bandung via Bogor-Puncak-Cianjur. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Along the way was the cool mountains surronding Bandung where we saw a lot of tea plantations as well as small farms and orchards. Everywhere were agriculture of all sizes. But the trip to Bandung was capped by the visit to Tangkupan Perahu. The story follows as detailed by our driver cum-guide Mr. Yudi.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Tangkuban Perahu</strong>:</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>There was a the King Padjajaran, the king of Java whom has a princess named Dayang Sumbi. One fine day the princess went to wash in the river and lost one of her embroidery. So the king issued a decree that whoever finds the embroidery will be rewarded by marrying him with the princess. Therefore, all men from all over Java went out to search for the lost item. However, one poor dog named Tumang found the embroidery downriver and kept it. Thence, the gods of the mountains turned Tumang into handsome young man and he went to deliver the embroidery to the king. As decreed, the king marry her princess Dayang Sumbi to Tumang.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>After awhile, a prince was born to the couple and he was named Sangkuriang. But Tumang was however turned back into a dog and Dayang Sumbi never tell Sangkuriang that Tumang is his father. One day, when Sangkuriang was a young boy, the mother yearned for deer's liver for a meal. Eager to meet her mother's wish, Sangkuraing launched into the forests to hunt for a deer with Tumang, the dog. After a whole day in the forest, there was no sign of a deer and Sangkuring could not let her mother down. Out of desperation, he aimed his bow and arrow towards Tumang and killed him. He took his liver and brought it to Dayang Sumbi whom did the cooking for dinner. Dayang Sumbi did asked the whereabout of Tumang but Sangkuriang just kept quite. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>After dinner, thence Sangkuriang told the mother that he did not find any deer and told his mother that it was Tumang's liver he brought home. Upon hearing that, Dayang Sumbi hit a the back of Sangkuriang's head and he fainted. He was sent to a remote forests of Java. When Tumang is back to his senses he grew up from places in the forests of Java and learned from the wise men and the learned of the island. And soon, when he is a young handsome man, he move back to his root at the Padjajaran City. There he met the ever young beauty Dayang Sumbi and fell in love with her. While courting her and getting into serious dating, Dayang Sumbi accidentally touche dthe back of Sangkuriang's head and realised that it is her son, and told her so. But Sangkuriang does not believe and he insist of getting Dayang Sumbi as her companion. Therefore, Dayang Sumbi set a requirement for their relationship to go on, which is to build a boat overnight. Sangkuriang, being a learned person and expert of all things, he got the services of the genies (ghost?) and satans to work for him at night. The spirits men were very hardworking and Sangkuriang is very confident of completing the boat overnight.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>But knowing that Sangkuriang has employed the spirits of the dark to build his boat, Dayang Sumbi asked the villagers around the forests to start working mid-night grinding rice using the 'alu and lesung' which produces great sound of morning and the roosters start to roosts as if it was morning. Upon listening to the rooster and the grinding of rice, the genies and satans employed by Sangkuriang thought it was almost daybreak and refuse to work. Sangkuriang persuaded them to continue working but in vain. The spirits men are so scared of day time and the left the boat halfway completed.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Seeing the boat left in that state, Sangkuriang was infuriated and kicked the boat to the mountain and it turned upside down and settled there and named Tangkuban Perahu.</div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/SSk987qp-MI/AAAAAAAAAEE/Runj4tg3yp4/s1600-h/IMG_0156.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271812955831924930" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/SSk987qp-MI/AAAAAAAAAEE/Runj4tg3yp4/s320/IMG_0156.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>- the end -<br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Therefore Tangkuban Perahu is still furious to this date and see the smoke arises from the crater. Well, if you happen to be in Bandung, don't miss this place. It's one of the rarest volcanoe crater that you can drive to and photo yourself at the bank. </div>Asan O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05524929963120536765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098756146504702600.post-80240782398579474602008-02-19T14:53:00.003+08:002008-02-20T14:07:00.676+08:00Politics and Development - Baram constituency in a nutshellMy friends from Baram,<br /><br />Now the Malaysian parliament already dissolved and there is a lot of political talks taking place anywhere around town and villages. Not sparing one of the biggest constituency,the Baram parliamentry, we can't help but talked about it in political term and development of the area. The incumbent MP is most of the time in Kuching. As a voter from one of the station there, it is heartening to see the whole situation of Baram.<br /><br />Starting from Marudi: it is almost a dead town, surviving on its own and there is minimal inputs from outside maybe since a decade ago.. The local bizmen got to connect their own road (15 km?) to a plantation road (owned by ex-timber co.) in order to reach Lambir and to Miri. And you've got to have super 4wheelers to go through especially rainy days (often holiday seasons as well) and got to pay twice the service of private ferry across Bakong and Baram river. If the river is swolen, you are to leave your 4wheeler in marudi or got to transport it by barge via Kuala Baram, extra cost again. Now, the express boat service is so poor, the operators can't provide decent boats anymore. The last time we 'tumpang' express boat Marudi-Kuala Baram sector, i saw a Swaylin poster (Iban Artiste - lady singer) pasted on the wall at the back seat, believe me, that poster is seen in one of my late mum's photo taken with our headman on the same boat a decade ago. Meaning nothing change much on that boat, including the seats cover, all torn already.<br /><br />Move to Long Lama: Formerly the transit for timber transportation via Baram river, it should be upgraded with a rural growth centre (rgc)in place, it's just a dream. After the state election a couple opf years back, the majority votes for BN dropped, maybe that is why the rgc doesn't move? We also have this road issue been going on for about a decade now. We hardly benefit in the development of the state. Since the timber biz move out from this rural bazaar (to Lapok, Tinjar) there is only the secondary school providing a 'viable' biz community here. Bleak future if the road not coming in the next Malaysai plan.<br /><br />Back to Lapok: The longest road to build (there is also a story of 'the longest bridge' to build) is an eyesore and heartbreak. I always lament the fact that this is one of the the worst part of public access road in Malaysia. I pity those guys who labored much to keep some cash, purchase any japanese twin-cab 4wheelers on loan for max 9 years and utilize it to venture into rural transportation biz. Within 2 to 3 years, the vehicle couldn't stand the 'roughness' of the road. There are still many years to go on the loan!! But when can we have simple access road crossing this big district (the size of the Pahang?) to Lawas to complete the so-called "Pan-Borneo Highway"? Which highway are we talking about?<br /><br />Rural areas in Bakong, Tutoh-Apoh, Tinjar, Upper Baram: There is nothing to be proud of, except they were formerly timber producing areas and now host to giants oil palm plantations and planted forests, of which, i believe, does not really benefit the local populace in the long term. Major changes in the policing will have to be done in the future to avoid permanent damages to the societies in years to come. <br /><br />There comes a corridor named SCORE, and Baram is listed there for a hydro-power project. Maybe there is a good point to look into. Major project like this may bring better economical impact to the peoples. But lets put it into perspective when a community leader said this in a public meeting few years back, "beginilah Tan Sri, kalau ada jaraya dibina sampai ke kawasan kami, apa pun kita boleh buat jika kita berusaha. Kalau tidak ada jaraya, ada kereta pun, kita tidak ke mana bah..". That statement was greeted with an applause from the other rural leaders present. I don't remember if Tan Sri responded to it. I guess this is already five years since and it seems that public meeting is yet another campaign for another election.Asan O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05524929963120536765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098756146504702600.post-58628789238597171112008-02-04T21:19:00.002+08:002008-02-19T14:52:14.147+08:00Tragedy in Bintulu, Again and Tiger Won, Again, but Federer Outclassed by Serbian DjokovicHi!<br /><br />At this point of time last year, i wrote on the helicopter crash in Bintulu. This time it is the two schoolboys from my old school (Tg. Lobang College, Miri) swept by undercurrent at the Similajau National Park while swimming at the beach.<br /><br />At the same time it is Tiger Woods phenomenon again at Dubai. Leading the first day, losing it two days latter and only to frustrate the other guys, especially Ernie Els, with a stunning comeback final day. Imagine the 'big easy' had a 4 strokes advantage at the eve of the final round and Tiger cancelled that by chipping in, and made huge, long putts. No wonder his name is tiger. <br /><br />But the same does not carry in tennis world as Federer was ousted at the semis of Aus Open by eventual champion Djokovic, the first Serb to win a grand slam. At the same Aus Open, the Serbians couldn't celebrate a champion in the women section as pretty girl Ana Ivanovic is outclassed by in-form Sharapova. It's had been a couple of years running, my family is stuck to the tv watching the Aus Open, tnahks to the time zone we had with Aus. Good to note here that the game provided us entertainment as well as source of inspiration. At the semifinal level, we had seen some best tennis for years in clashes like Djokovic vs Federer, Tsonga vs Nadal, Ivanovic vs Hantuchova and Sharapova vs Jankovic, another serb pin-up girl. <br /><br />Golf and tennis, these games had been a test of grit and determination. Some losing guys are not losers. They stayed there for another battle in the next tourney. They are really good. Same applies to our will and determination. Not to fail but continue to improve on what we are already good at.<br /><br />Cheers!Asan O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05524929963120536765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098756146504702600.post-69893598263656613672008-01-16T09:27:00.000+08:002008-12-10T00:40:57.101+08:002007 summary and year-end family gathering<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155913514749641234" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/R418BkNJwhI/AAAAAAAAACw/5qaH3HH6HoI/s320/DSC01549.JPG" border="0" /> <div><div><div>Year 2007 was indeed full of surprises at many angles of life. Our employer, the Malaysian Goverment service ugraded their pay structure but by differrent rates for different grades. A mockery for those studying hard to get to the greater positions. Worst still is the price hikes for fuel announced that year (twice for diesel) which contributed to the price increase for all other essentials. Thus, the pay increment given to the government servants merely covers the monthly fuel consumption to enable their travel to work by cars. To attain a better living standard, they are to forgo a lot of other things, maybe cycle to work!!</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>We are also surprised by the fast deterioration of the health of the late mum. Within a month of <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/R41zuUNJweI/AAAAAAAAACY/8kmpnYBfBhg/s1600-h/IMG_0253.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155904387944137186" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/R41zuUNJweI/AAAAAAAAACY/8kmpnYBfBhg/s320/IMG_0253.JPG" border="0" /></a>complaining of irregular bowel activities, she was soon hospitalised for two weeks, treated and another week of critical condition at Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching.<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div>Fifteen years after our late father, our mum was called to be with the Lord on 17 October 2007. She had had her lives well and fruitful to the optimum thinking of where they came from. She was a cause for the children to gather and remember the struggles put up by both parents in bringing us up from the interior of Borneo until we settled in the towns and make a living for ourselves as part of their legacy. On 28 December, the family visited the completed grave of the late mum and prayed together in her remeberance. </div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>We were in Marudi for Christmas and it is also the time for my eldest brother to retire <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/R415Z0NJwfI/AAAAAAAAACg/T7T6evmDpf8/s1600-h/IMG_0314.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155910632826585586" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/R415Z0NJwfI/AAAAAAAAACg/T7T6evmDpf8/s320/IMG_0314.JPG" border="0" /></a>(Christmas eve). He had laboured for 37 years with the government as an extension officer for agricultural activities in the rural areas. He is well known in the interior of Baram and it is easy for us, the younger siblings to identify ourselves in that community by saying "I am his brother". They will answer, "Oh! patut awak macam rupa dia... tapi dia tidak cakap Kayan.. etc". In conjuntion with our family gathering and dinner on 28 December, he is honoured by the family to speak on our inheritance and future undertakings. Rather important to note here, he is in the opinion that there is only customary rights land inhertitance left by our parents and all those are in Long banga and therefore should be shared perpetuity by the Odaus. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>The year-end family gathering is only the second in the series after 1997 Brighton Beach photo <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/R417QkNJwgI/AAAAAAAAACo/jmIjRuZ9d78/s1600-h/IMG_0298.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155912672936051202" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/R417QkNJwgI/AAAAAAAAACo/jmIjRuZ9d78/s320/IMG_0298.JPG" border="0" /></a>taking and dinner at Grand Palce. After ten years, we had the chance to celebrate at Imperial Hotel with a Danum function room available for us. We had good time in the rememberance of our late mum, honouring the works of both late parents and listing the children and grandchildren. The flow of wine and beer was rather smooth and we ended the year as a family reminded to stick together and look after each other in various circumstances and more importantly to build a pace to stay in Long Banga in the coming years. </div></div></div>Asan O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05524929963120536765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098756146504702600.post-35996097583709355762007-09-04T11:58:00.002+08:002008-02-26T12:08:23.902+08:00Post Merdeka CelebrationsBoth the Sarawak and Malaysian flags are still hanging at the porch of my home. When my little daughter look at them waving in the afternoon breeze, she shouted at me pointing to the flags"look daddy! Merdeka baa!" She refers to our 'jalur gemilang' as 'merdeka' just because he flag is prominently displayed during merdeka month, including ours.<br /><br />It reminded us, as Malaysian Borneon, being part of Malaysia and as independent beings. Well, not so merdeka with sentiments being played around like the race and religious issues that always grip the heart of our nation. Not truely merdeka in the sense that part of our people still could not embrace the nation as their own, another race continue to harp on the master of all race, another religion continue to subdue and dominates by all means, and worst of all, we live in uneasiness in our own country.<br /><br />Being on the island of Borneo is another issue, different from the other part of Malaysia, totally different, yes. That reminds me of my sister-in-law from Kedah who said, "bila kita sampai kat Kuching ni kan, serupa negara lain tau.., entah, sangat bezalah dengan tempat lain di Malaysia ni." She was correct in saying that. There are stark differences in term of environment, peoples and how the communities interact. That matters to us and we on the Borneo part of Malaysia also 'felt' being not so 'merdeka' with the way our country manage it's resources. So much resources found in Borneo but the Malaysian part here is very less developed compared with our counterpart in Peninsular Malaysia.<br /><br />There is also a notion that the Borneon Malaysian States joined Malaysia. That was rebutted by the fellow whom was part of the party, the elder politician James Wong Kim Min. He said we didn't <em><strong>joined</strong></em> Malaysia but we <em><strong>formed</strong></em> Malaysia. That is very important and should be made correct in all history books. Merdeka celebrations ends and we forget about the issues again as we struggle with day-to-day living and only be reminded again at the next celebration. And Sarawak decided to celebrate a large scale 45th anniversary of the formation of Malaysia next year (2008) and gain 45 years of independence when Malaysia is already 51 years? Is it a joke? Is Sarawak really merdeka?<br /><br />I think my daughter is right when she says that the jalur gemilang is pronounced merdeka.Asan O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05524929963120536765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098756146504702600.post-90286795483127460842007-08-20T12:10:00.000+08:002007-08-20T12:32:54.287+08:00Riding A Bus in KuchingAt last I took a bus ride in Kuching, the first ever since my arrival to this city in late 1996. It was a smooth ride, with the driver acts as the conductor (in the old days a person use to walk all around the bus to issue tickets and collect fares from passengers boarding at various stops) and as usual, the bus did not display the destination but mere numbers. The number indicated the same bus number to my residential area, but little did I know it was going to by-pass. I boarded at the hospital bus stop, was told that it was heading to a different destination. I paid a dollar to stop at the nearest stopover to my residence and I walked home which was good exercise in the morning.<br /><br />I have been commenting on this bus service to friends and comparing them to places I've been living like KL and Miri. At best, Kucing bus service should emulate Miri experience. I used to enjoy that part of public transport in Miri and it had been a decade since I move to Kuching, still the bus service is somehow lousy and poorly scheduled. I wish the "consortium whatsoever" providing the service be smart and venturers enough to replace the fleet with new medium sized buses or coasters that can provide much more frequent trips and conduct thorough study for better routes of the service. Kuching city deserves world class service, not merely increase fares for just airconditioning your old buses and fuel surcharge or every time the govertment announce a pay rise for the poor public servant like me.Asan O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05524929963120536765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098756146504702600.post-70288425435212421502007-02-02T11:09:00.000+08:002007-02-05T09:23:55.750+08:00February flood, bus service in Kuching and CVLB againIt's February!<br /><br />What's so cool? Yupp! It's the months when the torrential rain is at its dreadest moment in Kuching and termo readings aren't that hot. We've witnessed in the past couple of years that the threat of floods in this city was greatest around the Chinese New Year celebration. I remember when our local press printed a photo of a swine took refuge on the roof of a house during the worst flood hit in years. Wonder whether the piggy was rescued... My friends' citrus at their hobby garden, albeit assisted by the government, were lost too after inundated for weeks by the flood. I joined them the year after that worst flood, and this year's new year saw another flood at those gardens, yet again!! <br /><br />Well, today it is the CVLB again in our press. I kind of like the stuffs laid out by the rethorical chairman but there is no end to the supposed problems and best solutions to things at hand are not within sight. Lecturers and professors renting cars in Desa Ilmu? I think there are not the only ones to be singled out. The students want to rent cheap and available nearby. The basic of economics of demand and supply counts here. Should they be regulated? Once regulated there is no enforcement? CVLB is not an enforcement body said the chairman, then will the police, RTD or councils take up the cases? Complicated. May be let the biz runs and become successful first and let them apply for premises instead of the home biz where they are operating now (I've seen some). But these kind of biz is kind of a neede at most campuses in Malaysia. I've use some before and also seen similar activity done near the Sabah public uni. My niece used to keep an agent's Kancil at her campus in Bangi. She told me that she utilize the car when not out on rental, clever girl.<br /><br />The consortiun of bus service in Kuching hinted they want a fare rise. Apparently to finance their new ventures of acquiring new fleets and refurbishment of old ones. They claim that 50% of their fleets are 'old' and need facelift. From my observation, those old ones are not fit to run on our roads. But then, I guess, our society tolerate old vehicles and old drivers. Kuching is well position at the back of the que in term of a modern cities. Even though the city emerged winners in healthy and safe city status, still the public transportation is very poor.<br /><br />I don't know why we want to keep those too old buses around town. I think the drivers are driving them in pain and discomfort as well as to the commuters, an estimated 20 to 30 thousand peoples daily. May be the consortium make some biz sense into this and invest in new ones, make proper routing and serve the routes with right sized vehicles, though not to imitate the minibus experienced by KL in 1980s. If the service is good may be the number of users will grow and a lot of biz sense will hinge to it.<br /><br />But again, we go back to other related issues, where is the proper bus station and stops?? Hard question. The bus companies have to wait again. There is no station to call home. We have a regional bus station that is so poor and look like "sabung ayam" makeshift building. At the same time extra modern shophouses and hypermaket are being developed nearby.<br /><br />I always look forward to a proper public transportation that works well in Kuching. We never know what holds the future, fuel price may go up beyond our reach and cost of holding cars and other vehicles would be unbearable for government service peoples like me. We may switch to the buses, minibus, van or cable car (if Kuching want to use the Genting Resort style of mass transportation from offices in Petra Jaya to city areas). Or else, buy the Kancil made for rent at Unimas. H h<br /><br />Hope for good public transport.<br /><br />Bye now.Asan O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05524929963120536765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098756146504702600.post-11185276225799290202007-01-31T15:48:00.000+08:002007-02-01T12:28:30.567+08:00The heli crash, the boy's death and Tiger & Federer won againHello there!<br /><br />It’s a week of misfortune for Bintulu. After the death of the boy allegedly as a result of assault by fellow boarding students, it is the heli crash at the vicinity of D-35 offshore platform. Just now, I called my brotherto check whether he was offshore and he is not. He is an employee of the contractor that supplies manpower to the same platform and the missing fella is their colleague and believed to be trapped in the submerged Super Puma. Thank God for those guys who survived and that shows the reality of the compulsary survival course. <br /><br />Noting the death of the student in Bintulu, it is tragic, of course. I agree that the students involved are big enough to understand their responsibilities towards the death. I was once a boarding student in the 80s, and did involved in such fights in the hostel for petty matters but had never been assaulted by many vice versa. The condition may be like “gotong-royong pukul satu budak untuk dapat sesuatu” whereas the boy might be beaten by many at the particular point of time till he went unconscious and died. No one knows for sure until the police conclude their job. However, this is a true result of our changing schooling system. From the point where teachers were really respected and remembered for their disciplining regimes, to where we are now, so liberal and even to the point where parents or relatives come to school and threaten teachers with legal action over petty student cases. I think we are thankful for our discipline teachers that worked so hard to keep us at our world of school. Kalau tidak, jangan mimpi nak main komputer sekarang.<br /><br />Well, at the international sporting scenes, Tiger Woods won the Buick again last weekend as well as Federer at the Aussie Open. My family followed most of the Aussie matches, thanks to the time zone. The final games of both men and women were anti-climax, I guess, due to the intensities of the games at quarters and semis. We are retired tennis players whom never make it even to represent school clubs, but understand that the game those guys are in is very hard and physically demanding. That is a pure example of will and precise skills. They can make those shots! Those are not fluke but results of years of endeavour on the circuits. <br /><br />By the way, Tiger is one kind of golf monster due to his perfectionist and winning attitude. I took up this game few years back, not an easy game as well. The PGA guys are pretty admirable on how they handle the year long seasons with almost weekly competition. Imagine hitting thousands of ball per day at the range even immediately after tournaments! That is how their determination works to achieve those desired shots. I tried once to complete 8 trays per session, I got stiffed back latter. It is not an easy thing to hit thousand ball per training day, but they managed. <br /><br />All those attitude and kind of determination works for our own things we are doing right there, to be better at it.<br /><br />Best regards.Asan O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05524929963120536765noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098756146504702600.post-65599590163072131512007-01-25T09:07:00.000+08:002007-01-25T09:50:06.265+08:00LaGi-laGi la Bahasa InggerisBuat tatapanku,<br /><br />Hari ini, di halaman pertama The Borneo Post (<em>akhbar harian Sarawak yang masih kekal, tak pernah diharamkan?</em>) Naib Chancelor Universiti Malaysia Sarawak mengatakan bahawa para cendikiawan (<em>macam cendawan pulak</em>) seharusnya mencontohi pemandu teksi di Beijing untuk menguasai Bahasa Inggeris. Sedihnya kita. Nak kuasai BI pun kena tengok stail drebar teksi, amacam diorang pandai cakap punya.<br /><br />Seperti isu yang aku tulis beberapa hari lalu, generasi berumur bawah 40 tahun adalah mangsa keadaan dan perubahan polisi kerajaan pada masa itu yang menyebabkan budak-budak kita belajar BM berhabis-habisan. Untuk apa, aku pun tak faham. Tapi aku punya BM boleh tahan gak lar. SPM dapat 2 beb.. Tapi itu untuk syarat dapat keja kerajaan je <em>(dan masuk IPTA)</em>. Tapi bila aku datang keja, semua koresponden dalam BI. Bingung lar. Kena lar bip ap <em>(beef up)</em> dan tak boleh gip ap <em>(give up)</em>. Teruk gak kena perli pihak atasan dalam hal penguasaan bahasa inggeris, apa boleh buat, aku dapat keje ni pun melalui SPA, bukan aku tak layak. Diorang tak leh cakap apa. Tapi bila buat surat, kertas keje dan lain2, ada-ada je boss cakap "you've got to improve your English." Dalam hatiku, boss ni nak jadi cikgu bahasa inggeris ke?<br /><br />Apa yang penting kat sini? Kekadang boss tertentu cakap "don't ever discriminate any staff because of language obstacle," aku tak percaya punya. Mungkin ada udang dalam mihun tu.. Nak jaga kawan sendiri yang tak terar sangat BI dia. Yang penting, kita kuasai lah BI tu sebab ia penting untuk perhubungan glokal.<br /><br />Berbalik pada isu cendikiawan <em>(atau CENDIAKAWAN?? mana-mana lar)</em> tadi, aku pun tak paham sangat diorang tu. Setahu aku kebanyakan bebudak yang mengajar kat IPTA ni dihantar buat Masters, PhD dan post grad yang lain ke luar negeri <em>(pastinya bukan Indonesia atau negeri Arab).</em> Macam mana ni? Pi dok kat US ka, UK ka, Aus ka, NZ ka, bertahun-tahun pun tak kuasai BI?? Apa yang dtiorang buat kat sana?? Yang tu aku tak setuju lar. Duit kita dah banyak dibajetkan kepada diorang, bawak family sekali ke sana, sampai bawa balik kereta mewah bila kembali ke Malaysia, tapi BI belum gak berabuk. <strong>Tak setuju</strong>. Sekarang, diorang mesti kuasai BI sendiri, tak boleh guna duit rakyat lagi. Kan gaji dah beribu-ribu lepas dapat Ms, PhD <em>(pening lalat aku mengeja nya),</em> bayar tuisyen BI sendiri la.. Ikut bebudak kat tuition centre di King Centre atau Batu 3 <em>(untuk kes orang Kuching je).</em> Kat Bangi tu banyak lagi Bi tuition centre untuk korang di luar KL. Sendiri cari lar..<br /><br />Walau apa pun, syabas lah kepada Prof Datuk Abd Rashid kerana rajin nak keluarkan isu ni untuk tatapan umum. Aku ingat bahasa pengantar Unimas BI?? Dok hal tu lar aku tak layak nak tutor kat sana... sedih la<br /><br />Bacalah penulisan BI.<br /><br />Dari kampung di dalam hutan Borneo.Asan O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05524929963120536765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098756146504702600.post-63141487303380584972007-01-24T15:28:00.001+08:002008-12-10T00:40:57.307+08:00Malaysian BloggersHello again,<br /><br />This week, we are 'surprised' by the court procedures initiated against bloggers in this beautiful country. Many thought that this action will deteriorate the already poor level of freedom of expression in Malaysia.<br /><br />Being new to blogging, am not sure where are we standing at this juncture. This action may be an ideal of a developing country like Malaysia, where alternative opinions are rarely taken in a good taste; or a sign that our country is at par with developed nations where "see you in court" is the best way to settle disputes as well as claim for damages. Nevertheless, as the Malay saying goes, "Kalau tak ada angin bertiup, masakan pokok bergoyang" is believed to apply in those cases. If not the wind, may be many monkeys are found there, doing there chores on the trees. The more the monkeys swing between branches, the trees will be swaying further.<br />Back to to the blogs, who really read them and what kind of hit are they concern about? Well, may be the stack are huge that the fellas involved couldn't just ignore the issues.<br /><br />As the PM said latter, the bloggers must be responsible on whatever is written. Agree 100 percent. After all, anyone must show restraint when comenting on sensitive issues, practicing self censureship and taking into account the sensitivity of the various cultures around them. However, the readers must also be responsible for their own perception and responses toward any issue found on the blogs or the net in general. I guess, rationalisation of things will keep a better society rather than getting emotional over any issues that hits. That shall be the nature maturing nation and populace. Well, dah 50 tahun merdeka da... albeit, the borneon states baru je 44.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/Rbf_6bmP1CI/AAAAAAAAABE/MSveJZx8Mrk/s1600-h/DSC05338.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5023765288660751394" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/Rbf_6bmP1CI/AAAAAAAAABE/MSveJZx8Mrk/s320/DSC05338.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p>By the way, we went picnic at a stream near Samarahan months ago. We caught some small fish (may be seluang type) and cooked them in this manner. Habis jugak la ikan tu. See the fella getting 'tougher' over the years for consuming such fishes from polluted waters.</p><p>Dengar khabar, ada mangsa rogol dibunuh dan dicampak kat sungai tu baru-baru ini. Entah apa hal, kita selalu takut benda cam tu huh.. So kitorang pun pindah tempat picnic ke sungai lain. Ada jala dan pukat kecil (beli kat Batu 7, sebelah pasar Dayak) boleh dapat ikan kecik kat semua sungai ni. </p><p>Keep a healthy lifestyle. Berkelah dekat-dekat kampung Bidayuh dan majukan ekonomi mereka dengan membeli hasil tanaman diorang. Pasti sihat. Tak payah nak tunggu ke Bali, Bangkok etc. Kalau Tony Fernandez bagi tiket free, pergilah. h h</p><p>Bye for now.</p>Asan O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05524929963120536765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098756146504702600.post-63097862623592414012007-01-23T09:45:00.000+08:002007-01-23T10:43:45.461+08:00English in MalaysiaWe are again caught in the battle of language supremacy and control at school level?<br /><br />I am one of those 'victim' of government policy in language changes in our schooling system. Our seniors in school are very fluent in English while us being the first batch in Sarawak to go BM are the slow catcher, even till this day. While keeping abreast with Bahasa Melayu is very manageable (owing to the fact that it is our national lingo) it is rather difficult for English. One got to keep practicing it no matter what. Forced yourself to read only English papers, watch English films, company English speaking friends all those things...<br /><br />English should remain the lingo of the teachings of those subjects in school and we should not revert as that would be a draw back and 'gostan' for the Malays and other Bumis if we want to say so. <br /><br />Why can't the bumis learn many languages? Those non-bumis are fluent in their mother tongues, mandarin, english and proud of their mastery of national language, while the bumis are succumb to the national lingo (also in limbo). How to compete in the open arena?? They will remain jaguh kampung and continuously dependent on the non-bumis for biz and shares of the economy. They will become beggars in this country of bounty. I am sharing my own inadequacy in the usage of this global lingo here. We are the victim of policy makers that switched to BM some four decades ago. <br /><br />When will we learn from all these mistakes? I remember one character publish in the paper decades ago (may be by the celebrated cartoonist Lat??) that goes something like this, "Dia dok sibuk kempen suruh orang cintai Bahasa Malaysia tu untuk apa? Anak dio hantar sekolah di luar negri, cakap omputih." It was a character commenting on our politicians that drum up this issue propogated by lingo nationalist but they themselves are sending their kids to study overseas, learning in English and mastering it, cause they know it's important for their future. <br /><br />Allow me to to guess that most of those high level staff of Petronas are overseas grad and fluent in English. Petronas is one flagship that represent Malaysia everywhere in the world (thanks to the first discovery of oil in Sarawak) and without mastery of English, they won't go anywhere. Idris Jala, one of the most recognized face in Malaysian corporate world is one from the 'humble borneon jungle village' that studied in English and succeeded, making it to the 'proudest of cosmo concrete jungle.' Thanks to the old, proven system. What good things comes out from our current system? It is not proven yet, but we change them too often. <br /><br />May our leaders tell the people the truth. I think most of them studied overseas... and master English well. Look at Najib, Hisham, Taib Mahmud etc., how many of them studied locally?? and read law in BM??? <br /><br />It is also astonishing to note here that it become an issue for the lack of English mastery among the 'staff' of public higher institutions. We all know it is the product of our policy four decades back!! Why now we want to question them. They were pure BM student and English was just one subject taught in school then!! <br /><br />However, some were sent overseas for graduate studies. Still couldn't master the language?? That one, let them answer for themselves. <br /><br />Disappointed with the many changes. Let's stick to the English teaching, may be for all subjects and BM a separate single subject must pass by all for the sake of our unity (and for own use when talkking secrets at international events).Asan O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05524929963120536765noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098756146504702600.post-87793759773140829572007-01-19T13:09:00.000+08:002007-01-19T13:36:29.658+08:00Speed limit at Jalan Tun Jugah vs Jalan TabuanHello Kuching Road Users,<br /><br />I think most of the drivers taking a daily route via Jalan Tun Jugah and Jalan Tabuan knows the speed limits of the two sections. I came to realise that there is a stark difference when I went to Simpang Tiga Traffic PS to pay a parking summons, when a guy was mentioning that he got to pay a few speeding summons because the speed limit signboard could not be seen at the road sides. Furthermore, he claimed that the speed limit is unreasonably low.<br /><br />When I drove along the sections from the airport, I noticed that the speed limits for Jln Tun Jugah is 70 km and 80 km for Jln Tabuan. It make no sense. It should be the opposite. No wonder our friend got to pay a few speeding summons on that stretch.<br /><br />Another thing, the speed limit reminder is displayed only once after each traffic light. Why not put on reminder at every 50 or 100 meters? Aren't we suppose to look to the front when we exit a traffic light stop? Who really bother to look to the roadsides at that juncture?<br /><br />I think the road planners need to test drive by themselves on the stretches of roads to ensure a better placement of speed limits signboards and other things. Signboards are not proper at all.<br /><br />We shall talk about that in the Kuching-Miri stretch experience at other entries.<br /><br />Suka speeding, Kuching.Asan O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05524929963120536765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098756146504702600.post-22758270706267810232007-01-18T12:12:00.000+08:002008-12-10T00:40:57.798+08:00Batang Lassa is the Terubok River<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/Ra71-2ArWXI/AAAAAAAAAAM/M1lOBCvd6KQ/s1600-h/IMG_0130.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021221094563731826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/Ra71-2ArWXI/AAAAAAAAAAM/M1lOBCvd6KQ/s320/IMG_0130.JPG" border="0" /></a>I was in Kampung Sawai for some official function for the Batang Lassa project in August 2006. The serenity of the village is shown from the jetty of the Dewan Masyarakat. Across the river is the main village made of mainly Melanaus and some Ibans.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was early in the morning and some villagers were still doing their washing and obvious biz at the river bank. At this time of the year, water sources is scarce and little choice.</div><div><br /></div><div>They are dependent on the rain for drinking water. When we were there, we got to draw some from the villagers tank for cooking. We realize their supply runs dry at that time and praying for rain was a must. We bought so many 5 liters mineral water from the village shop. Apparently they do have lots of supply of that at their disposal. I wonder how often the locals purchase those bulky bottles. Imagine staying at these low-lying rural areas when all your surrounding being developed into agricultural activities and no more river to supply your natural source of water. No wonder they resort to purchasing bottled mineral water. But for how long they will have to do that and what kind of income will be able to supplement that? When our guys were there, only a few can take it into brushing their teeth with the river water. The rest resorts to the bottled water as well, including me. heh he.</div><p>Yet their nationalism spirit flying sky high as evidence by the flag raised at the jetty.</p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/Ra76vWArWYI/AAAAAAAAAAU/whV2wMHU0cE/s1600-h/IMG_0152.JPG"></a><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/Ra77vWArWZI/AAAAAAAAAAc/hgbOXz-wCTI/s1600-h/IMG_0098.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021227425345526162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/Ra77vWArWZI/AAAAAAAAAAc/hgbOXz-wCTI/s320/IMG_0098.JPG" border="0" /></a>We also visited SK Batang Lassa at the confluence of Batang Lassa River. See the boys play soccer on that kind of field. No wonder our level of football never depart from such standard. Our national team also plays like that - macam main dalam lumpur kat bukit jalil di Kuala Lumpur. Sungguh kesian. But this kind of area couldn't be any good for football field. I saw all the mud mounts made by delta creatures sprouting all over the place. However, credit to them for keeping a fighting spirit and to help themselves with an outdoor and activity no matter what the hazard. Agi idup agi ngelaban, wai!</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Batang Lassa is the Terubok place (the salted fish you guys get from the Satok market, wrap carefully and bring back to Semenanjung by airasia tu lar) where fishermen trap at the river itself. The fish is believed to grow at sea and return to this river to breed. There is an effort to conserve the place as a spawning area for terubok and other sources of seafood like prawns (Seafood lovers must be thankful to the government efforts - jangan lebih, nanti kena ghout).<br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/Ra7_EGArWaI/AAAAAAAAAAk/MF8F3Ty5lpw/s1600-h/IMG_0106.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021231080362695074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LocRSRJP-YE/Ra7_EGArWaI/AAAAAAAAAAk/MF8F3Ty5lpw/s320/IMG_0106.JPG" border="0" /></a>The small long boat in the middle of the river is commonly used by fishermen in this area. The river is quite wide and brackish. </div><div> </div><div>We manage to jump in and swam a little bit, albeit, at the kampung jetty only. Can't imagin what's inside the murky water. Including large living things. Hey! Air yang tenang jangan disangka tiada buaya. There was reasons that Malay parable was ever mooted. <br /></div><div></div><div>I believe the peoples had learnt to live side by side with such a montrous creature over decades and centuries of settlement. </div><div> </div><div>Myself, being from the highland interior couldn't have a place like this to live. I still prefer the mountains and the uprivers. May we carry on with our quest for development carefully and taking into account all aspects of sustainability. </div><div> </div><div>Hidup politik pembangunan yang bersepadu dan mampan! Jangan merosak kampung orang.<br /></div><div></div><div>Kuching, Sarawak<br /></div><p></p>Asan O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05524929963120536765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098756146504702600.post-5720871596721580662007-01-18T09:42:00.000+08:002007-01-18T10:13:12.306+08:00Bus Service in KuchingFunny!<br /><br />Kuching being the capital city of Sarawak never have the best of bus service. Far cry from Miri City which had transformed this mode of transport since early 1990s. This is almost a decade in the new millenium, the Kuching buses are noise polluters, air polluters and 'bone-shakers' as the local press penned them. <br /><br />Funny!<br /><br />At one time, the CVLB mentioned that the service in Kuching couldn't utilize the same mode as those in Miri because the road conditions here are not as good! How come? Where goes all the road maintenance that was privatised which is supposed to be better than the works of PWD? Caption: Last year a friend from Sabah came to attend his daughter's convo at the local university. During dinner we talk about their drive around town and he quipped "Saya kasi tau sama ini "daughter's name" kan; kita ini driving Kancil bah.. di Kuching ni kan.. Kancil ni butul-butul melumpat-lumpat kan...". We've been driving in Sabah a couple of times (thanks to Brunei highway that connects Miri to Sipitang), we know they have better roads.<br /><br />Well, back to the buses; still after many years residing in Kuching, I hardly use the service. The condition never improve over the years. What investment is switching to smaller versions and frequent service like the Miri case. The operators there also invested and make losses in the transition period, but now their performance is a testimony of efficient public transport and supported by many. How I wish to tumpang the bus to down town from my kampung house at the city skirt but am not sure whether I will be forced to take a taxi for the return trip. Troublesome; routes not proper, poor bus condition, schedules question. I pity the kampung fellas waiting at the stop in front of my house when the bus didn't arrive on time, they may have to face their bosses for being late or worst, did not reached their destination if the bus break down.<br /><br />Funny!<br /><br />We are busy building here and there. I couldn't afford any of them though. But there is no proper roads to cater for these areas. No wonder the buses can't go there. Nanti itu bus melumpat-lumpat pulak. heh<br /><br />Semoga CVLB dapat mengatur masalah ini dengan penuh gaya dan gah (mana konsortiumnya..) untuk memantapkan imej Kuching dan Sarawak yang tercinta.Asan O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05524929963120536765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098756146504702600.post-62202946742542284422007-01-17T13:27:00.000+08:002007-01-19T13:08:36.000+08:00Rural folks and education - the real jungle folksPu'uen euw, eek mrai tabi papu wan tam mueng mak nnal aret nok lem songneu eek nai.<br />Loaek nah tam mak pi mai malan adieu erat aweng tam yai hnueng mai kap alin nan tam mluen, kap siin, kap awan, nonoh tah kap eleh nan tam nnyok luei luen tam. Lem yah dodei ai, loaek nah tam mak parap luei luen deh hlong, luen panan deh, nonoh tah luen tam lem aweng hmah yai.<br /><br />Erat lem nonoh dei, lem hnau eek yai, am nan alin nkan nok parap wet tam mai lem aweeng mak adieu yai dei, nnyok luei luen tam, nonoh tah kap sii alin nok parap arok leuen tam sieng pahat belta ngan leuen aweng nnkan, erat nah alin sik pu'uen yah nah mai skola. Kai nah pelitah tam am arok skola sieng lem aweeng tam alam hran, ayeu nah tapat prap arok sik aret lem komputer nai. Lem yah nonoh ai, lak eek mrai rah hnau eek nah leuen tam, dong si'pah tah deh, wei arai mrai rah sawai arai ngan anak-anak tam mai lem skola. Lang wei ai nah nan deh skola nnoi duet mak Long Bangan ngai dei, nan pelitah mman deh nonoh tah mbrai nan deh dong lem mis. Sik breu, kai deh pi labi erat lem kelas nam, mesti arai mrai deh mai lem skola pom pat deh sieng pah pat belta nan deh mai.<br /><br />Lem masa noknai, sii nai nah alin tam lak nnyok luen tam panan lem rang leuen loak lem Sarawak nai, nonoh tam lem Malaysia. Tam nai leuen erat lem aweeng adieu erat pasan, loak tosah tam leek pelitah. Kai nan anak tam mak wei eleh deh lem kelas nam, pom lau, nonoh tah pom emah, nan tah hnau pelitah ndeh tau, prap mbrai alin nndeh mai skola mak wei ai, nonoh tah skola belta.<br /><br />Nan sii eek mai loe hmah ngai alam, lem laak 1997, ewet Taman Phalipa anak mak loe suti skola ai mai man mak yah ngai (lem 20 bruel dalau), arok melau sii hmeu ladeu nasihat dalau lem skola, papah lak mai skola belta erat pom emah. Eek mbrai sii hnau nah dalau "ken parap tam nnal sii bruel erat Long Banga jadi duktun lem plu laak?" Nnoi, pii plu laak nnai, am tah arai lei nan mak pii sieng jadi duktun yai, am nonoh hon tah, am eek mpat sawai eek sieng si nai dueng. Nan tah alin sii leuen tam sieng si nah ccak hran, am arai leek kalau mak erat pah dei yah tau. Lem yah nonoh dei hon tah, am tam mpat sawai tam, arok euw nah tam maton anak tam mai lem skola pat tam mbroel mmbuek deh, mangang deh arok wei, nonoh tah nnau lak nnyoek mai luei luen tam panan.<br /><br />Lem amei adiek alam, sii komiti skola lem aweeng (Kai nah dei dong mak adeu Pei Muang tah tam), panet dueng laak tam arok man rah anak skola dong tawa' yai, dei tah komiti skola tam erat hmeu Sa'ban, nonoh tah hmeu Lepo' Ke arok sii latat nah anak mak lak mai ntol skola deh doeng Bareo yai. Nah sii hmeu latat nok wei ai, an eek nnau wei tah tam arok nok ko duet nah breu. Am arai nnau anak ai mak lak mai nntol skola deh ai, anak erat aweeng tam mueng tah deh.<br /><br />As most of the third generation from Long Banga and onwards are educated in the government schools be it at Lio' Mato, Long Lamai, Bareo or the village itself, it is pretty nostalgic to recoqnize the work of BEM in bringing adult education to the second generation. Aimed to enable the old folks to be able to read and therefore to read the Scripture by themselves, the literacy brought by the programme had helped parents to understand the need of education in changing the livelihood of the community.<br /><br />Till now, the rural folks originated from SRK Long Banga' had produced no less than 20 graduates from different disciplines excepting engineering, law and medicine. So the challenge is to get the jungle kids to grip an interest in those fields.<br /><br />Till we meet again.<br /><br />Tenmu Asan, Kuching.Asan O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05524929963120536765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7098756146504702600.post-80067587525529819572007-01-08T16:34:00.000+08:002007-01-18T09:42:33.869+08:00Long Banga Where?Hi!<br /><br />yaton euw eek mrai tabi wei ahieng ngan tok hnau nah tam meung mak le' basa aret lem internet nai.<br /><br />Nai nah pi adin tam mluen lem aweeng rah, adiu erat hma' tam yai, ta'on tam, am tah si nan tam hmueng ngan le' brueng lem rang tam.<br /><br />Wei tam mu'uen aro blog tam jarei-jarei, dei tah tam prap aro luen tam nnyoek mai mawan, le' luen nkan wan tana nai.<br /><br />Nai ak pu'uen sii eek nai, harap kalau mak nkan prap maluen seweeng, ngan pahat-pahat tapat nnyoek luei deh. An arai aro tah ka'bal arai panan mai lem deh wea..<br /><br />papu breuw.<br /><br />Tenmu AsanAsan O.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05524929963120536765noreply@blogger.com3